Media Alert: Mayor Allen to Attend Arrival of World Trade Center Beam in Bossier City

LEESVILLE, LA.--Leesville Mayor Rick Allen is set to be in attendance when a 16-foot steel beam from the World Trade Towers, recovered from Ground Zero in New York City following the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, is scheduled to arrive at 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 23 at the Bossier City Municipal Complex, located at 620 Benton Road.

When the beam arrives, it will travel down POW/MIA Boulevard and be temporarily parked on its trailer in the front parking lot of the Bossier Civic Center for photo opportunities, following a brief ceremony. The beam will then be on permanent display at the Liberty Garden, located between the Bossier City Fire and Police Departments.

"Tomorrow, Louisiana will receive a piece of history that will serve not only as a reminder of the thousands of lives lost on that horrific day in 2001, but also of the many other lives lost since then as our soldiers continue to fight to protect us from terrorism," said Leesville Mayor Rick Allen. "Here in Leesville, where we live side by side with soldiers at Fort Polk, we have a close understanding of what it takes to protect our nation from evil. I'm proud to represent Leesville in remembering the fallen and in honoring their sacrifices."

Efforts to acquire the 9/11 artifact began nearly four years ago when local businessman and Keep Bossier Beautiful President Tom Lawson was in Indiana and saw "Project Indianapolis," a memorial comprised of twisted pieces of metal from the Twin Towers.

"It moved me," Lawson said. "As you moved toward the metal you felt the energy and I felt we needed it for our 9/11 memorial in Bossier City. It will be a most appropriate addition."

Lawson and his son, Scott, worked with the Bossier City Mayor's Office and Keep Bossier Beautiful to put the wheels into motion to secure the beam.

"I commend Tom Lawson and our Keep Bossier Beautiful team for discovering this opportunity and their persistence to make it happen," said Lorenz "Lo" Walker, Mayor of the City of Bossier. "We are very fortunate to have this special beam to add to our Liberty Garden. It will serve to help us never forget the terrorist attack on our soil and the significance it has had on all of our lives. We have construction plans to install it with all of the dignity and honor that it deserves. Its presence will make our annual Patriots Day Celebration all the more memorable."

A host of dignitaries will be on hand to intercept the beam when it arrives from New York. The media and public are also encouraged to attend.

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The City of Leesville, the best hometown in the world, is a historic yet visionary community. As the parish seat of VernonParish,where Fort Polk and the Joint Readiness Training Center are located, the City of Leesville is home to military families, retired veterans and a growing and strongly patriotic citizenry that provides the basis of a well-rounded and work-ready workforce.